Dublin flag demo may be delayed

Dublin flag demo may be delayed

Dublin flag demo may be delayed

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Loyalists confront police in Belfast a month after the City Council decided to fly the union flag on designated days only

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The Union flag flying over Belfast City Hall to mark the Duchess of Cambridge's birthday

Loyalists look set to delay plans to stage a rally in Dublin in protest at the lowering of the Union flag above Belfast City Hall.

Organisers claimed police in the Republic's capital wanted more time to make security arrangements for the demonstration which is due to take place outside the Irish Parliament on Saturday.

Although there was no announcement of a definite decision, Willie Frazer of the so-called Ulster People's Forum whose supporters have been heavily involved in the unrest and disruption in Belfast since the beginning of last month, said: "The Garda want to facilitate this protest and we are prepared to work with them. But they said they need more time."

Earlier David Cameron challenged Northern Ireland's rival politicians to begin developing a shared future in a bid to ease tensions and end the street violence over the flying of the flag.

With loyalists threatening no let up, the Prime Minister said he was willing to have talks to discuss the continuing disorder. But he also insisted it was up to the parties to play their part as well.

The Prime Minister told the Commons: "We need to build a shared future in Northern Ireland where we break down the barriers - barriers of segregation that have been in place for very many years. I think that is part of the challenge to take away some of the tensions we have seen in recent days."

Many traders in Belfast, especially bar and restaurant owners, whose profits plunged because of the trouble in the run up to Christmas and New Year, are planning to withhold rates in protest. Demonstrations brought the city centre to a virtual standstill leading to wholesale table cancellations and disastrous sales figures.

Dublin businesses also fear trouble if Saturday's protest goes ahead.

First Minister Peter Robinson will preside over a special meeting of Unionist and loyalist representatives in Belfast on Thursday, but protest organisers furious at the decision to restrict the flying of the City Hall flag to designated days, have pledged to stay away.